Millikin finds its new football coach on campus

Patrick Etherton started as a player at Millikin
and has been at three other Division III schools before
returning.Millikin athletics photo

Millikin athletic director Joe Hakes is pleased to announce that
Patrick Etherton has been selected as the new Big Blue football
coach. Etherton, a 2000 graduate of Millikin, is currently an
assistant football coach and head men's golf coach at the
school.

He replaces Doug Neibuhr, who resigned after posting a 4-6
record last season, 1-6 in the CCIW.

"Patrick Etherton is a great example of the product that
Millikin football produces," said Hakes. "It was obvious as we
moved through the process that he had the passion, experience and
skills necessary for success. In addition, he has experience with
different systems of play in four solid programs. He knows the
Millikin players and our program and will bring fresh ideas to the
team."

"Patrick has recruited extremely well in both football and men's
golf and he cares about the young men that he coaches," adds Hakes.
"The golf program has had a track record of success under his
leadership. He is focused on winning and his dream has been to lead
the Millikin football program. I'm excited about what the future
will hold here with Patrick at the helm."

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to lead the Millikin
football program," said Etherton. "Since I began my coaching
career, I have dreamed of being the Big Blue head coach and I have
several new ideas for revitalizing the Millikin program and
returning it to its tradition of excellence. I believe we have some
really outstanding young men in our program and I am ready to take
them to the next level with a style of play that will renew
interest and excitement in Big Blue football."

Etherton has been on the Millikin football staff since 2004 and
has coached on both sides of the football. He has 10 years of
collegiate coaching experience. In addition to Millikin, Etherton
has been on the football staffs at Washington and Jefferson, Puget
Sound and Allegheny.

Since 2008, Etherton has been the Big Blue's passing game
coordinator, wide receivers coach, recruiting coordinator and JV
coach. From 2004-08, Etherton was Millikin's co-defensive
coordinator and linebackers coach in addition to running the JV
program and heading up the recruiting efforts.

Etherton has held the men's golf role since 2004. Under
Etherton, the program has been successful including currently being
ranked No. 11 in the nation in NCAA Division III by
Golfstat.com.

Etherton is a 2000 graduate of Millikin. He played defensive
back during his playing days for the Big Blue and was a student
assistant coach from 1998-2000.